Term 1

We have taken part in lots of activities over the last ten days. We are learning our new routines quickly and starting to recognise activities/routines which we do daily (like taking the register, snack, lunch etc). Our new morning routine is going well and although we may be a little unsure about saying goodbye to loved ones, we are coming into class really well, managing to put our bags and belongings away with only a little help.

Our First 10 Days

Week 2

Phonics – This week we have begun Phonics. We are learning to use our ears to hear lots of different sounds. On Tuesday we made a poster of the different things we could hear outside and on Wednesday we used the beaters to drum, noticing when the sounds changes.

Maths – We are learning to count accurately by touching or moving an item as we count. We are also learning to join in with counting rhymes and how to form our numbers.

PD – On Monday morning we practise our throwing and catching skills and on a Friday afternoon we work with Mr Aplin. During Monday afternoon we work with on developing the strength and precision of our small muscles (fine motor skills), this week we have been tracing!

Understanding of the World - During RE and Circle time we have been getting to know each other a little more. Finding out our favourite things, more about our families and beginning to understand how we all need to wok together by thinking about our class rules/routines. Please see our Forest School page to catch up on our learning.

Expressive Art and Design – We have been learning about sound using the instruments and how the sound can change. We have joined in with lots of poems/rhymes and we have had lots of opportunity to be creative using the art and craft materials and the construction equipment.

Week 2

Look at our wonderful art work! Please do pop into the classroom at the end of the day to have a look around and see our wonderful work. I am always available in the morning if you need to talk about something sensitive or pass on a quick message. Alternatively, the end of the day allows for more time to speak uninterrupted. You can email the office or email me direct using the following link (emails will come directly to me – no matter how small your concern, comment, question is, it is important): julie.field@clifton-hampden.oxon.sch.uk

Phonics – This week we continue to think about sound by matching sound and changing sounds.

Maths – We have been learning about patterns and pairs. We have played matching pairs both on the table top and on the interactive whiteboard. We have used our creative skills to decorate socks, trying really hard to make a matching pair. We have continued to practise forming our number from 0-5.

PD – During PE this term our Monday morning session is given over practise our throwing and catching skills and on a Friday afternoon we work with Mr Aplin. Monday afternoon we work on developing the strength and precision of our small muscles (fine motor skills), this week we have been learning how to make small movements using the pens! On Tuesday we enjoyed a tennis taster session - please see latest news for more info.

Understanding of the World - We have been busy in the garden: we have dug up the potatoes which were planted by our current year 1 children. It was like finding treasure! We have also lifted the geraniums – hopefully we can keep these alive until next spring! We have begun painting (finger) to make our Harvest Lunch invitations to the residents of the village. Don’t forget to check out our Forest School page.

Expressive Art and Design – On Friday morning we enjoyed a session with 'Perform' drama group, please see latest news for more info. We have learning about sound using the instruments and how the sound can change. We have joined in with lots of poems/rhymes and we have had lots of opportunity to be creative using the art and craft materials and the construction equipment.

Phonics – This week we begin our 'robot talk' work. We are learning to stretch words out by saying each sound e.g. the word 'cat' becomes c-a-t and we have been learning to blend sounds bag into a word e.g. d-o-g becomes dog. Segmenting (sound talk) and blending takes lots and lots of practise. For children to succeed at reading the more practise/skills they develop at this stage, the greater success they will have as a reader. Have a look at these guides: https://www.oxfordowl.co.uk/for-home/jargon-buster--2 and https://www.oxfordowl.co.uk/for-home/advice-for-parents/reading-at-home/phonics-made-easy/

Maths – We have been practising our counting and writing our numbers, working really hard to count an irregular arrangement of items (where items are not all in straight rows). We have continued to practise forming our numbers correctly from 0-5.

PD – During PE this term our Monday morning session is given over practise our throwing and catching skills and on a Friday afternoon we work with Mr Aplin. Monday afternoon we work on developing the strength and precision of our small muscles (fine motor skills), this week we have been developing the strength in our fingers by adding nuts to bolts by using the meccano.

Understanding of the World - Don’t forget to check out our Forest School page.

Expressive Art and Design – This week we enjoyed handprinting! We used red, yellow, orange and brown paint to make handprints - these will become the leaves for our new display. We have also begun learning a new song for harvest festival.

Phonics – We continue to tune into sound; we have been learning how to move slowly and quickly depending on the tempo of the music (playing Grandma's footsteps). We have been matching sounds by listening to instruments and of course practising our 'robot talk' at any opportunity for example: 'Can you put your c-oa-t on? We are learning to stretch words out by saying each sound e.g. the word 'cat' becomes c-a-t and we have been learning to blend sounds bag into a word e.g. d-o-g becomes dog. Segmenting (sound talk/stretching a word out) and blending (squeezing a word together) takes lots and lots of practise. For children to succeed at reading the more practise/skills they develop at this stage, the greater success they will have as a reader. Have a look at these guides: https://www.oxfordowl.co.uk/for-home/jargon-buster--2 and https://www.oxfordowl.co.uk/for-home/advice-for-parents/reading-at-home/phonics-made-easy/

Maths – We have been practising our counting and writing our numbers, working really hard to count an irregular arrangement of items (where items are not all in straight rows). We have continued to practise forming our numbers correctly from 0-6.

PD – During PE this term our Monday morning session is given over practise our throwing and catching skills and on a Friday afternoon we work with Mr Aplin. Monday afternoon we work on developing the strength and precision of our small muscles (fine motor skills), this week we have been developing the strength in our fingers by cutting with the scissors accurately.

Understanding of the World - Our thoughts turn to Harvest this week and we have been learning about a number of items a farmer might collect. We have been learning about 'The Little Red Hen' and made a story board display (do pop into the classroom to have a look). During Forest School we have been learning how to squeeze the juice form apples (this week our photographs are on latest news).

Expressive Art and Design – We used the paint to make the background for our new displays and on Wednesday we made mini scarecrows for our new display - please call in and have a look at the children's work. We continue to practise our song for harvest festival - we can't wait to share this with you.

Phonics – We continue to tune into sound; we have been playing lots of matching games (using the interactive whiteboard to play sound pairs) and tuning into sound around us. I am so impressed with all the children's work this term. Keep up the robot talk over the holiday - it will help when we begin to write simple words next term.

Maths – We have been practising our counting and writing our numbers, working really hard to count an irregular arrangement of items (where items are not all in straight rows). We have continued to practise forming our numbers correctly from 0-7.

PD – During PE this term our Monday morning session is given over practise our throwing and catching skills and on a Friday afternoon we work with Mr Aplin. Monday afternoon we work on developing the strength and precision of our small muscles (fine motor skills), this week we have been developing the strength in our fingers by cutting with the scissors accurately.

Understanding of the World - We continued our learning about Harvest in prepartion for Harvest Festival on Thursday. We made crumble and jelly for dessert on Thursday. Please check latest news to see photographs from Thursday.

Expressive Art and Design – On Thursday we performed our poem, song and hymns at our parents, families and friends. Have a look at our lovely photographs below.